A cure for miscommunication

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William C. Harvey says he's “out of the cave” and ready to resume his mission: to teach Spanish to just about everyone in Orange County.

Harvey, 59, wrote the indispensable “Spanish for Gringos,” published in 1999, and since then has authored more than a dozen other books on language instruction. Many of them are designed to help native English speakers in a specific profession get by with just enough Spanish to serve customers. Or in some cases, save a life.

On Feb. 21, he will begin teaching a five-week course called “Spanish for Healthcare Professionals” at UC Irvine.

The class is offered through the school's continuing-education arm, UCI Extension, and will be held Thursdays 6:30-9:30 p.m. through March 21 at Social Science Plaza A, Room 1165.

The cost is $385 and there are seats left among the 35 spots.

Who should take this class? Doctors, nurses, desk clerks, support staff – anyone who works at a hospital, HMO or clinic who would find a basic knowledge of Spanish useful to give or receive information.

“The program allows people who've never spoken Spanish before to stand before a Spanish speaker, understand the general message that's coming at them and respond intelligently,” Harvey said.

The textbook used for the class will be Harvey's own book, “Spanish for Health Care Professionals,” published in 2008.

His other books include “Spanish for Law Enforcement Personnel,” “Spanish for Attorneys and Paralegals” and “Spanish for the Construction Trade,” as well as a few books for native Spanish speakers on how to learn English.

Harvey doesn't get bogged down with perfect conjugation of verbs. The goal is to be able to connect with someone “warmly, culturally.”

After his surge of prolific writing and speaking, Harvey said, “I still have that passion. I'm out of the cave now, letting the industries know I'm out there again.”

To contact Harvey about teaching in your specific industry or business, call him at 714-264-5851.

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